Chapter 176: Returning to Battle
Leaping out from Zeon's encirclement, the Arcadia immediately positioned itself in front of Kou Uraki.
That's right—not Uraki, who possessed the I-Field Generator, blocking Arcadia's path, but rather GP02 using its massive shield to protect GP03.
The I-Field Generator could only block beam weapons. After three years of guerrilla warfare, how many of these Zeon remnants could still field Mobile Suits equipped with beam weaponry?
If Mobile Suits armed with machine guns got close, they would pose a real threat to Kou Uraki.
Thus, GP02 took the initiative to block the incoming attacks from the Zeon MS.
And when the enemies tried to charge again, GP02 would actively step aside, allowing Kou Uraki to use his MEGA Particle Cannon to inflict damage on the onrushing MS units.
Relying on such a simple tactic, the two of them actually managed to keep the Zeon remnants outside Albion's air defense perimeter.
But this also meant that the Zeon warships were now focusing more of their attention on them.
One of the escort fleet's ships had already been sunk, and the other vessels were all heavily damaged or worse.
With the Federation fleet no longer posing a significant threat, a late-model Musai warship calibrated its main cannon and fired directly at the two Mobile Suits!
"Leave it to me!"
Facing the incoming beam, Kou Uraki stomped down on his pedal and rushed in front of GP03!
Immediately after, GP03's thrusters cut off, its limbs stiffened, and even the monitors in its eyes dimmed significantly—it had diverted all of its reactor's output to the I-Field Generator.
Though the I-Field itself wasn't visible, Kou Uraki had absolute faith in his equipment.
After all, this was a Gundam!
The beam fired by the Musai swiftly struck GP03—not the body itself, but the invisible I-Field barrier, where the energy dissipated harmlessly.
In the next instant, GP03 resumed normal operations and, aiming its MEGA Particle Cannon at the Musai, fired at full power for the first time since entering the battlefield!
The recoil was so great that GP03 was pushed slightly backward, and a warning for overload popped up on its right arm.
The brilliant beam shot across the battlefield and struck the Musai's bridge dead-on!
"I hit it!"
"You idiot!"
Even as Kou Uraki was excitedly celebrating the destruction of the enemy warship, Arcadia's furious shout came through the comms, dousing his elation in an instant.
Without even a moment to wonder why, Kou understood Arcadia's anger immediately.
Though they had successfully downed a warship, a Rick Dom was now rapidly approaching him, raising its heat saber high, climbing from the right side, ready to cleave downward!
The defensive line built by the two MS didn't allow Uraki the luxury of leaving himself immobile just to attack an enemy ship.
If this Rick Dom succeeded in destroying GP03, Albion—which had not yet left port and turned to engage—would undoubtedly fall into grave danger.
Then Captain Sinapus, Mora, and even Nina would die—all because of his mistake.
Such thoughts flashed through Kou Uraki's mind in an instant.
Time seemed to slow down, and his expression froze as he watched the Rick Dom's heat saber inching downward toward him.
It was already too late to draw his beam saber.
"I'm not finished yet! Nina's still waiting for me!"
Uraki's face twisted into a fierce snarl, eyebrows knitted tightly, teeth clenched as he yanked hard on the right control stick!
Yes, it was too late to draw the beam saber at this range, but that didn't mean he had no means of attack.
Just as Lucette had previously modified GP03 beyond spec—installing the MEGA Particle Cannon and the I-Field Generator—Kou Uraki also thought of a non-standard method of attack at this crucial moment.
GP03's right arm disengaged from the MEGA Particle Cannon and swung toward the Rick Dom—but it was still a little too far!
However, the GP03's arms had been specially designed as articulated, folding arms to allow easy weapon swapping from the "Stamen" weapon bay.
Unlocking the joints, the arm folded outward, and the mechanical claw at the end—normally not intended for combat—formed a sharp cone and rammed viciously into the Rick Dom's cockpit!
The Rick Dom's mono-eye flickered out, a sure sign it had lost combat capability.
Uraki retracted GP03's right arm, folding it back into its normal configuration.
But the right arm, already heavily stressed from firing the MEGA Particle Cannon, now suffered real damage—warning lights flashing red at the joints, the elbow no longer functioning properly.
Hopefully Miss Lucette won't scold me too badly when we get back, Kou thought.
He was completely unaware that he had just shouted something outrageous over the comms.
And those words had been transmitted back to the rear.
"Wow, that was bold."
Mora whistled, elbowing Nina teasingly.
"Would you call that a confession?"
"Mo-ra!"
Nina almost ground her teeth as she pounded her fist against Mora's arm.
In that instant, all the resentment Nina had harbored over Kou refusing to pilot the GP01 evaporated.
Nina looked up at the GP01 in front of her.
When she had seen Kou's life in danger just now, her entire heart had been consumed with worry for his safety.
Thoughts like "my pilot is in another woman's Gundam" had long been thrown aside. All she could think of was wishing GP03 could be even stronger—to protect Kou Uraki.
Yes, it's just a Gundam. People are far more important.
Nina withdrew her gaze, her eyes steeling with determination.
"Lieutenant Monsha!"
Nina called out to Monsha, who was preparing to board a GM Custom.
"Miss Nina? What's the matter?"
Since his confinement, Monsha had changed quite a bit.
Though he still spoke and acted brashly, everyone could sense that he now took his duties much more seriously.
At the very least, he only drank when appropriate—and no longer to excess.
"Lieutenant Monsha, I want you to pilot the GP01."
Pushing off lightly, Nina floated over to the GP01's cockpit, opened it via the control panel, and turned to face Monsha, who floated over as well.
"Is... is that okay? Isn't that Uraki's unit…"
"It's just a machine. Its destiny is to fight on the battlefield."
Nina looked at the GP01's cockpit, at the traces left by Kou Uraki's usage.
"Lieutenant, promise me—you'll protect Kou Uraki."
Floating back slightly to allow the cockpit to close, Nina said this to Monsha.
Though he had once been spurned by Nina, Monsha didn't entertain any new romantic hopes just because she now entrusted him with a Gundam—he had some pride, after all.
But hearing Nina say those words reignited his fighting spirit—and deepened his grudge against that brat Uraki.
"I understand. I'll protect that reckless kid."
Monsha maneuvered his machine onto the launch lift, heading toward the sortie rails.
"Well, after all this back and forth, I still end up piloting this unit. Guess I owe that kid one…"
Monsha loosened his gloves slightly to let his fingers move more flexibly.
"Bernard Monsha, Gundam GP01—launching!"
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